Maths test results!

I take what I said about the test back, I actually did pretty well on it! I knew that I'd definitely lost at least some marks, as I found that I ended up with a ridiculous fraction for what was meant to be a fairly straightforward question about intersection of lines. I then got stuck on a question which required the equation of circle to be found from three points on its circumference. I tried to find two perpendicular bisectors and then find their point of intersection, but it was made harder by the said mistake earlier in the question, and I ran out of time after only a little progress (only getting 1 mark out of 4 in the end). Another 15 minutes-ish could have got me the full 4 though!

That brings me to today, when I got my paper back. I was so nervous about it, as I knew I had taken quite a few guesses along the way, but, as it so turned out, I got full marks in paper 1 (non calculator). I had a little celebration on the spot, although I had to wait in anticipation for paper 2, which was more difficult, and the one with the above straight line problems. As it so turned out, there was only one more mistake, when I was calculating the volume of a prism when I had found the area of its cross section using integration correctly, and I didn't realise I had only found the area of half of the shape (so needed to double it), meaning I had half the volume. Although had originally panicked this test might finish off my achievement in maths, it so turned out I got 115/120 - 96%! Immediately afterwards, I would have been thrilled to know that, but now, I have more mixed emotions (though still a lot of joy), as were it not for a few silly mistakes, I would have got  98%, and although I wouldn't have got the short way to the circle question as it's not covered in the textbook, I could have had the perpendicular bisector method all complete if I'd had just a little more time (which the teacher admitted would have been fair). Although 100% is still just a percentage!

Next week, I have another similar test, but with more time, as it's on two days rather than one. I will be aiming to get in the nineties again, I'm not especially trying for 100% because I was so fortunate to get what I got last week, and 100% is a near impossible target, and the chances of me reaching it are so small!